GRADE 9 ENGLISH

WEEK 4

"Thank You Ma'am" Reading Comprehension

____ 1. What happens when Roger tries to steal Mrs. Jones's purse in “Thank You, M'am”?
a. He changes his mind because he knows stealing is wrong.
b. He changes his mind because he is frightened by her large size.
c. The purse is so heavy that he loses his balance and falls.
d. He runs away but is caught by another person and brought back to Mrs. Jones.

____ 2. What can you infer about Mrs. Jones's first reaction to Roger from this sentence in “Thank You,M'am”?
The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter.
a. She is confused.
b. b. She is scared.
c. c. She is angry.
d. d. She is sad.

____ 3. What can you infer about Roger from this exchange with Mrs. Jones in “Thank You, M'am”? “Your
face is dirty. I got a great mind to wash your face for you. Ain't you got nobody home to tell you to wash your
face?” “No'm,” said the boy.
a. He is shy.
b. He is neglected at home.
c. He has trouble telling the truth.
d. He has a good sense of humor.

____ 4. What can you infer about Mrs. Jones from this remark to Roger in “Thank You, M'am”? “But you put
yourself in contact with me,” said the woman. “If you think that that contact is not going to last awhile, you got
another thought coming. When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates
Washington Jones.”
a. She is shy.
b. She is easily frightened.
c. She has trouble expressing herself.
d. She is bossy.

____ 5. In “Thank You, M'am,” how does Mrs. Jones get Roger to her home?
a. She drags him up the street.
b. She asks the person who caught Roger to drop off the boy.
c. She promises Roger food.
d. She tells him he can have money for blue suede shoes if he comes with her.

____ 6. In “Thank You, M'am,” why is Roger scared at first in Mrs. Jones's home?
a. He is very hungry.
b. Mrs. Jones is a strong, large woman.
c. Mrs. Jones talks so fast that he cannot understand her.
d. He fears that Mrs. Jones will turn him over to the police.
____ 7. In “Thank You, M'am,” why does Roger try to steal the purse?
a. to get money for food
b. to get back at Mrs. Jones for stealing from his father
c. to get money for blue suede shoes
d. to show he is tough

____ 8. In “Thank You, M'am,” how does Mrs. Jones show she trusts Roger?
a. She makes him wash his face.
b.She makes sure neighbors keep their doors open.
c. She leaves her purse near him when she prepares food.
d. She tells him her full name.

____ 9. Which idea does the theme of “Thank You, M'am” deal with?
a. the value of kindness
b. the value of hard work
c. the value of a dollar
d. the value of city life

____ 10. How might a reader state the theme of “Thank You, M'am”?
a. Children should respect their elders.
b. A child needs attention from an adult.
c. Do not try to steal in your own backyard.
d. The city streets are dangerous at night.

____ 11. What does barren mean in this sentence? The surface of the moon is dark and barren.
a. distant
b. empty
c. frightening
d. full of life

____ 12. Which place would best be described as barren?

a. a lush garden in summer
b. an empty beach in winter
c. a dirty, crowded subway car
d. a football field during an exciting play
____ 13. For which activity would you most want to look presentable?
a. going to sleep
b. hanging out at a friend's house
c. cleaning the garage
d. going to a job interview

____ 14. What is the tense of the underlined verb in this sentence? The boy has robbed the wrong person.
a. past perfect
b. present perfect
c. future perfect
d. Imperfect

____ 15. In “Thank You, M'am,” what can you infer about Mrs. Jones from this remark? “When I get through
with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.”
a. She respects whomever she speaks to.
b. She is a conceited showoff.
c. She is a strong-minded person.
d. She intends to do physical harm to Roger.

____ 16. In “Thank You, M'am,” when Mrs. Jones brings Roger home, what does he first fear she will do?
a. poison him with the food she serves
b. hit him over the head again
c. bore him to death with her stories
d. turn him in to the police

____ 17. In “Thank You, M'am,” how does Mrs. Jones's admission that she did bad things when young reveal a
theme of the story?
a. She brags about her youthful adventures so that Roger will be humble in her presence.
b. She is older and lonely and needs to confide in someone younger.
c. She wants to be the adult whom Roger trusts to understand and help him. d. She wants to prove to Roger that
all teenagers are delinquents.

____ 18. In “Thank You, M'am,” what does Mrs. Jones mean by telling Roger that “shoes come by devilish
like that will burn your feet”?
a. The devil wears hot shoes.
b. People who buy shoes with stolen money often go to jail.
c. Shoes that do not fit will pinch your toes.
d. Get shoes with stolen money, and guilt will burn your feet.

____ 19. In “Thank You, M'am,” Mrs. Jones says she would have given Roger money for shoes if he had
simply asked. Roger pauses for a long time. What can you infer from that pause?
a. He is surprised, touched, and confused by her offer.
b. He is growing more suspicious of Mrs. Jones.
c. He is not used to washing his face, so he is taking his time.
d. He is plotting ways to get more money from Mrs. Jones.

____ 20. Which statement is a main theme of “Thank You, M'am”?

a. Lonely, older people seek company even from those who harm them.
b. Kindness and goodwill are stronger than fear and mistrust.
c. If you are going to steal, do not get caught.
d. City streets are full of dangers for young and old alike.